Chain.



PATENTED MAY 24, 1904.

I T A G I L P P A PATENTED MAY 24, 1904.

M. DODGE.

GHAIN.

nrucuxon FILED 11.12.17. 1904.

0 MODEL.

a SHEETS-SHEET a.

PATBNTED MAY 24, 1904.

UNITED STATES Patented May 24;, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 761,037, dated May 24, 1904.

Application filed March 1'7, 1904.

To all whom it may concern..-

of the invention being to provide meanswhereby bending strains upon the pivot-pins of such chains will be avoided, and a still further object is to so construct the chain that the pivotpins shall be free to turn within the bearings, so as to prevent uneven wear of said pins. These objects I attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a chain illustrating my invention, the section elements without the bushings.

being on the line 1 1, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2, Fig. 1. and tare detached perspective views of the links shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing a chain similar to that shown in Fig. 1, save that it does not employ bushings. Fig. 6 is a view of a chain made up of links all of the same shape. Fig. 7 is a view of a chain made up of a series of link Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8 8, Fig. 9, in which two bushings are used. Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9 9, Fig. 8. Fig. 10 isa view of a toothed chain to which my invention is applied. Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing two links pivoted together in such a manner that the pivot-pin is not subjected to unbalanced strain, the links having integral extensions. Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12 12, Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a construction similar to Fig. 11, with the exception that the lateral extension is in the form of a bushing. Fig. 14 is a View illustrating a hooked link which can be used in carrying out my invention, and Fig. 15 is a view of a modification of the chain shown in Fig. 5.

Serial No. 198,655. (No model.)

, is a link composed of two link elements A A,

and B is in the present instance asingle-piece link, although (see Fig. 6) two link elements B B may be placed together, so as to form the link B. Links A and B are coupled by and articulate upon a pivot-pin D, which 1s itself free to rotate, so that the wear upon the pin will be distributed over its entire surface.

Each of the link elements A A composing link A has at eachend an opening a for the passage of a pivot-pin D, and within .each

opening (4 pro ects a segmental bearing a,

which also projects laterally from the link element, so that the two bearings a a form ,together a continuous segmental seatv extending across the entirelink A, as shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 j I openings 6?) and segmental bearings 7) pro- Link B has at each end similar pivot-pin jecting within said openings and also projecting laterally on both sides of the link, so that when the two links A and B are pivoted together, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the segmental projections a at one end of the link elements A A, constituting link A, Wlll project into and together form a bearing extehding across link B, while the laterally-projecting portions of the bearing 6 of link B will project one'into and across one of the l1nk elements A and the other into and across the other element A of link A, the bearings 60 a I) b then constituting substantially continu ous opposite bearings extending the width of link A.

In that particular form of my inventionillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 there are introduced between pivot-pin D and bearings a a detachable segmental bushing E and between the pivot-pin D and bearing Z) a similar segmental bushing F, flanges e of bushing E overlapping bearings 12 and flanges of bushin F overlapping bearings a, so that the bushings are held in place upon and move with the bearings in the motion of the links, as will be apparent on reference to Fig. 2. Although I prefer to employ these detachable bushings, it will be obvious that they may be dispensed with and that, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the segmental bearings a and Z/may be allowed to bear directly upon pivot-pin D. In either case it will be observed that the bearings of each link will perform both that function and also the function of limiting the pivotal movements of the bearings of the adjoin' ing link. The bushings and the links are held laterally by caps 03 (Z, which are secured to a transverse rod d, extending through the pivotpin D. This construction, however, I do not claim in this application, as it forms the subject of a separate application filed by me April 5, 1904:, Serial No. 201,701.

It will be understood that any suitable means may be provided for holding the pin and link elements against lateral movement.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I have illustrated my invention as applied to a chain composed of links each of which is made up of a series of flat link elements, the elements of one link alternating with those of the adjoining link, as shown. In chains of this character the link elements are usually so narrow that in the ordinary construction of such chains they wear away very rapidly at the pivot-openings or they cut into the pivot. My invention obviates these objections to such chains by providing each compound link with a continuous pivot-pin bearing of substantially the full lengthof the pivot-pin.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a chain in which link A is composed of link elements A A and link B of three link elements BB"B Each link element A has segmental bearings 66 projecting into the pivot-pin aperture and each extending laterally from its link element, so as to project into the pivot-pin openings of link elements B", while said link elements B have corresponding segmental bearings 6" projecting into their pivot-pin openings and each extending also laterally from its link element, so as to project into the pivot-pin openings of link elements A" of link A. The bearingpieces a" of linkA and the bearings b" of link B thus form practically continuous pivot-pin bearings extending the full length of the pivot-pin and width of the chain.

In the constructions thus far illustrated and described the bearings, with their lateral extensions, are shown as integral with the links; but in some cases, as where the links or link elements are punched from blanks, it may be desirable to make these segmental bearings separate from the links. Figs. Sand 9 show a form of chain in which said bearings consist of detachable segmental bushings E F, extending across the links and the full length of the pivot-pin Dand forming opposite bearings' upon the latter. The segmental bushing E its snugly between projections 6 within the pivot-pin openings of link elements 13*, while bushing F fits snugly between projectionsf in the pivot-pin openings of link elements A" A", and the pivot-pin openings are of a size allowing the bushings E and F and the links to which they are respectively attached to move upon the pivot-pin to an extent limited by the projections and f. Washers c, interposed between the link elements, prevent the latter from coming into frictional contact with each other and serve to increase the amount of bearing-surface of the chain upon its pivot-pins.

Although I prefer to attach the bushings to each of the link elements, as'shown in Figs. 8 and 9, it will be evident that without departing from my invention said bushings may be attached toa single element of the series, the pivotal motions of the other elements being limited by coupling them to that element to which the bushing is attached.

In Fig-'10 I have shown the application of my invention to a type of chain used to aconsiderable extent as a drive-chain and known as a silent chain, the links A and B of this chain having teeth which engage the teeth a and b of a sprocket-wheel over which they pass. These chains are made up of a series of flat elements, as shown in Fig. 8, and in chains of the kind as heretofore constructed the strains placed upon them in use result in rapid wear of the link elements around the pivot-pin opening or in wear or cutting of the pivot-pin. By the application to such a'chain of bushings such as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 10 these objections are overcome. I do not, however, claim the particular construction of. chain shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10 in this application, said construction being the subject of another application filed by me on the 1st day .of April, 1904, Serial No. 201,123.

hile my invention is particularly applicable to the class of chains known as drivechains, it may be applied to other forms of chain, and in Figs. 11 and 12 I have illustrated one of the simplest forms of chain to which the invention can be applied. In these views the link A has a pivot-pin opening which also receives lateral projection I) of link E the pivot-pin opening of the latter link likewise receiving both the pivot-pin D and the lateral projection a of link A the pivot-pin openings being of a size to allow of the required pivotal play of the bearings a 6 which extend substantially the entire length of the pivot-pin and form substantially coextensive opposite bearings upon the latter.

Fig. 13 shows a chain construction similar to that of Fig. 11, save that the bearings upon the pivot-pins instead of consisting of integral parts of the links consist of bushings E F, the former attached to link B and the latter attached to link A In Fig. 14 I have .shown a'view of a link A, having a hooked pivot-pin.

It will be observed that in each of the abovedescribed examples of my invention the links have a bearing upon the pivot-pin extending substantially the whole length of the latter and practically continuous and that these co- .extensive opposite bearings result in a balanced chain in which the objection to bending strains upon the pivot-pin is avoided. This last-named advantage can be gained in another modification of my invention, (illustrated in Fig. 15,) in which a central link B has lateral projections 5 forming the only bearing for the link and side link elements A, having openings to receive the pivot-pin and lateral projections of the central link, but not provided with lateral projections.

In the following claims, '1 to 8, both inclusive,tl1e terms link or chain-link are used to signify and are to be understood as covering and including either a single-piece link or one of the elements ofa compound link, such as hereinabove shown and described. In the remaining claims the said terms link or chain-link are used to signify and are to be understood as covering and including a complete link, whether of one piece or compounded of two or more elements, save where the claim is specifically limited to a compound link.

1 claim as my invention 1. As a new article of manufacture, a chainlink having a lateral projection forming an extended bearing for a pivot-pin, and having an opening adapted to receive said pivot-pin and the lateral projection of an adjoining link,

substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a chainlink having a lateral segmental projection forming an extension of the bearing of the link for a pivot-pin and having an opening adapted to receive said pivot-pin and also to receive, and allow for pivotal play of, the latsubstantially as described.

3. As a new article of manufacture, achainlink having a pivot-pin opening and a segmental pivot-pin bearing projecting within said opening, and also extended laterally therefrom, substantially as described.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a chainlink having a segmental bearing projecting within the opening for the pivot-pin, and also extending laterally from the link, so as to increase the bearing thereof upon the pivot-pin, the said pivot-pin opening of the link being of sufficient size to admit and allow to swing upon the pin, the laterally-extended portion of the segmental bearing of an adjoining link, substantially as described.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a chainlink having an opening for a pivot-pin, and an integral segmental bearing for said pin,

projecting within, and also extending laterally from said opening, substantially as described.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a chainlink having at each end an opening and a segmental bearing for apivot-pin, and a lateral extension of said bearing, substantially as described.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a chainlink having an opening for a pivot-pin, a segmental bearing for said pin formed within said opening, and a lateral segmental projection on each side of the link, said projections forming continuations of said bearing, substantially as described.

8. A chain-link having a pivot-pin opening, and a segmental projection within said opening, and constituting a pivot-pin bearing and a stop to limit the motions of an adjoining link, substantially as described.

9. The combination of two links pivotally connected, and each having a lateral projection, and an opening into which the lateral projection of the other link extends, said projections forming opposite and coextensive bearings for the pivot-pin, substantially as described.

10. The combination of two links having opposite and coextensive segmental bearingsurfaces with a pin free to turn upon said bearing-surfaces, substantially as described.

11. The combination in a chain, of two links and a pivot-pin therefor, each link having a segmental. lateral projection forming an extended bearing on the pivot-pin, and an opening through which pass both the pivot-pin and the segmental lateral projection of the adjoining link, substantially as described.

12. The combination with a pivot-pin, of two links, each having a lateral projection and an opening into which the lateral projection of the other link extends, and each link with its lateral projection having a bearing upon substantially the full length of the pivot-pin, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a pivot-pin, of two links, each having a lateral segmental projection and an opening into which the lat eral projection of the other link extends, and a pivot-pin, each link with its lateral projection presenting a substantially continuous bearing upon the entire length of the pivotpin, substantially as described.

14:. The combination of, two links and a pivot-pin, each link having a lateral segmental projection and an opening into which the lateral projection of the other link extends, the links'with their lateral projections presenting opposite and substantially coextensive bearings on the pivotpin, substantially as de' scribed.

15. The combination of two links with a pivot-pin therefor, each link having a lateral segmental projection and an opening into which the lateral projection of the other link extends, the links with their lateral projec- TOO tions presenting opposite pivot-pin bearings of substantially equal length across the links, substantially as described.

16. The combination of two links, a pivotpin coupling said links, a segmental lateral projection of one link extending into the pivotpin opening in the other link, and having-a bushing forming a bearing-surface upon said pin, substantially as described.

17. The combination in a chain, oitwo links, apivot therefor, each link havinga lateral extension forming a continuation of the bearing of the link, a segmental bushing carried by each link, said bushings being opposite each other and coextensive, substantially as described.

18. The combination in a chain, of two links and a pivot-pin connecting the same, one of said links having a lateral projection on each side, and being pivoted between the two elements which compose the other link, and each of which elements has a lateral projection on one side, the lateral projections of one link entering and moving pivotally within the pivot-pin opening of the other link, all substantially as described.

19. The combination in a chain, of two links and a pivot-pin connecting the same, one of said links being situated between two ele ments composing the other link, and each link carrying a bushing which extends through the pivot-pin openings of both links, and bears and moves upon the pivot-pin, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES M. DODGE.

Witnesses:

WILL. A. BARR, J 0s. H. KLEIN. 

